Lee Smith, born in Illinois and raised there, attended college in Missouri, and has worked as a PGA pro and golf course manager in Illinois as well as Arizona and Georgia. He also spent time in New Jersey, Nevada, and New Jersey.
Smith’s acceptance of the role of executive director at the Players Championship is a full circle moment in that he was an assistant professional in his first position, the Urbana Country Club. The club, located about 10 minutes on I-57 south of his hometown of Rantoul in Illinois, had a member who was the Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan, and Smith taught Khan’s son Tony.
Smith, 47, said “A really cool link” on Monday as he sat in the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse’s back porch and watched the sun go down over the Players Stadium Course. “I am really happy about the success of the Jaguars.”
Smith was excited to hear that the Jags had a corporate cabin overlooking the Island Green 17th hole.
He said, “I look forward to it.”
It was about 25 years ago. Much has changed since then.
Khan owns now the Urbana Country Club.
Smith will take over the PGA Tour’s marquee event from Jared Rice after a career spanning more than 20 years as a club professional, course manager, and assisting the Tour with FedEx Cup playoffs at Liberty National, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Rice, who had been the Tour’s Senior Vice-President for Championship Management Tournament Revenue, will now be the Senior Vice-President for Sales and Marketing for Championship Management. She will focus on the Players Tour Championship, FedEx St. Jude Championships, Tour Championships and Presidents Cup.
Rice was the Players’ executive director from November 2017 after Matthew Rapp, who is now the senior vice president of Championship Management and Jay Monahan, who is the PGA Tour commissioner.
Smith, who has been Liberty National’s general manager for five years, will assist the Tour with the Northern Trust tournaments in 2019 and 2020 and bring the LPGA back to Liberty National in June for the Mizuno Americas Open.
He managed a team of almost 150 employees at Liberty National, and will now take the PGA Tour’s “Gold Standard” into its sixth decade.
Smith stated that “we will continue to have one of the best fields in golf at an iconic venue like the TPC Sawgrass.” “We want to continue providing the ultimate experience to our players, our partners and our supporters — these tenets will not change.”
Smith to be 50th Player
Smith is taking over the tournament at a pivotal time: The 2024 tournament will take place between March 12-17 and celebrate the 50th anniversary. Because the 2020 event had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, this is the 50th tournament.
Smith has been working for the TPC Network since 2008. Smith went from Sugarloaf, to TPC Summerlin, in Las Vegas. He also held the position of regional director of TPC Network operations, while still holding his Liberty National job.
Smith was a letterman for four years on the Southeast Missouri State Golf team. He graduated with a sports management degree. He earned a Masters of Sports Law and Business from Arizona State.
Smith is the only Players Championship director to be a PGA pro.
Rapp stated in a press release that they were “delighted” for Lee to take on his new role. He will be an incredible leader for the Northeast Florida Community as well as our tournament team. His vast experience in leading TPC properties to championship events and initiating growth opportunities made him a perfect choice for this crucial role on the PGA Tour.
Smith believes that his club professional background will provide him with a unique perspective.
He said that a PGA pro has to be able to relate well with 150 employees, 340 members, and the more than 2,000 Players who volunteer. “I believe the training and interpersonal skills that come with being a PGA professional will help me in my job.”
He also said he will connect with “core” golfers to support the Players by reaching out to Northern Chapter PGA Professionals.
He said: “I believe that as a PGA Member, you gain a bit of respect, and can walk into these clubs to hopefully meet local golf professionals, and their members.”
It’s still too early to know what Smith’s stamp will be on The Players. He won’t take over officially from Rice until the end of June.
He said that he is open to suggestions and ideas. For example, he would like to reopen Monday practice rounds for fans. Another idea could be to have a competition early in a week or if possible, he will start preparing ‘Fan Fest’ before the tournament.
He said: “I would love to work hard in order to extend the Players Championship beyond a week.” “Having the weekend prior to that more community-driven… I wouldn’t rule anything out in order to provide the ultimate fan experience.”
Rice faced numerous challenges
Rice served as the Players’ executive director from the time the Players’ tournament moved back to March, through the cancellation of the 2020 event due to COVID-19. In 2021, the PGA Tour will host its first large-scale event for fans. Last year, Rice managed the event through torrential downpours to the finish on Monday.
During his tenure, the Players more than doubled their number of national sponsors and boosted the long-standing charitable impact of the event, including a gift of $2 million last fall that funded the redesign and expansion of Nemours’ Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center in Jacksonville.
“Jared has led The Players to become one of the most prestigious global sporting events. The Players was a first class experience for players and fans under his leadership. We look forward to the next chapter of his career in expanding our Championship Management division.
Rice said in a press release that it was a bittersweet experience for him. “It has been a great honor to be the leader of The Players Championship, and to have worked to make this event something our community and players can feel proud and ownership over,” Rice stated. “I am excited to focus my effort on bringing new partnerships to our Championship Management Events and building premium fan experience in what is without doubt the premiere tournaments on PGA Tour.”
Matt Welch said that Rice was a good friend to the more than 2,000 volunteers who make up the 2022 Players.
Welch stated, “He was a great person to work with. I can’t say enough good things about Jared.” “He was always ready to listen.” He would always listen to others, even if he did what he thought was right. He was able to get the team working together in a single direction.
Rice, 47, a native New Hampshiren, spent four years in the Tour’s global licensing and business development department before taking on his new role at The Players. He previously worked in marketing, sales and business development for the Detroit Red Wings as well as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Red Wings.
